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Imran Khan Hospital Transfer Preparations Underway
Imran Khan Hospital Transfer preparations are reportedly underway in Islamabad after the Supreme Court directed authorities to move the incarcerated PTI founder to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment. Security arrangements around the hospital have been tightened as the deadline set by the court approaches.
Supreme Court Sets Two-Day Deadline
The Supreme Court on August 18 ordered authorities to shift Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital within two days. The court directed that he remain there until September 16, subject to further proceedings, and ordered the formation of a specialist medical board for his assessment and treatment.
The medical board is to include specialists in internal medicine, general surgery, ophthalmology and cardiology. The court also directed that Khan’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, and his personal physician be associated with his medical assessment and treatment.
The ruling followed proceedings concerning Khan’s medical condition and requests for access to his complete medical records. The court subsequently sought detailed medical and meeting records from the authorities.
Government Review Petition Returned
The government’s attempt to challenge the hospital-transfer order has added another layer to the situation.
The federal government filed a review petition on August 19, arguing that the Supreme Court’s interim order should be reconsidered. The petition was filed by the Islamabad chief commissioner through the advocate general.
On Thursday, however, the Supreme Court Registrar’s Office returned the petition after raising objections. According to reports, the government is expected to address those objections before filing the review petition again.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja interpreted the development differently, saying the government had effectively withdrawn its challenge and should now comply with the August 18 order without delay.
PTI leadership has welcomed the Supreme Court directive and repeatedly called for its implementation.
PTI Seeks Immediate Compliance
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan previously urged the government to comply with the court’s decision, while the party asked its supporters not to gather outside the hospital. PTI said the priority should remain Khan’s medical care and that there should be no politicisation of his medical report.
Gohar has also called for political dialogue, arguing that implementation of court decisions could help reduce political tensions.
The party’s position has been that Khan should receive treatment at Shifa International Hospital with access to appropriate independent medical expertise.
Security and Political Implications
The hospital transfer is taking place against an already tense political backdrop. The Supreme Court specifically directed authorities to maintain tight security during Khan’s transfer and ensure that law and order around the hospital is not disrupted.
Reports of heightened security around the medical facility are therefore consistent with the court’s instructions, although the precise timing of any transfer remains subject to confirmation by the authorities.
The government’s handling of the review petition has also become a central point of political debate. While PTI argues that the court order must now be implemented immediately, government officials have previously indicated that legal options remained available regarding the directive.
The situation could have wider political consequences if the transfer proceeds as ordered. It comes after months of disputes over Khan’s access to medical treatment, family meetings and personal physicians.
For now, the key development is that the Supreme Court’s two-day deadline is expiring, while the government’s review challenge has been returned on procedural objections. Whether Khan is transferred to Shifa International Hospital within the court’s timeframe remains the immediate question.
The court has ordered that his treatment be conducted through a specialist medical board and that his medical report not be used for political purposes.See More Pulse Pakistan
